The Burning Bush Vol 9 No 2.pmd - Far Eastern Bible College

FILIAL PIETY AND BURIAL CUSTOMS
Christian. He wanted to put some food for his deceased mother, and offer
paper money to her. I found out that this “filial son” was never filial to his
mother when she was alive. Now that she was gone, he wanted to put on a
show of filial piety to impress his friends and relatives. There may have
also been a sense of guilt that caused him to act in this manner.
How can a Christian show his filial piety to his parents? A Christian
shows filial piety while his parents are still alive. “A son honoureth his
father” (Mal 1:6). Jesus said, “Honour thy father and mother: and, He that
curseth father or mother, let him die the death” (Matt 15:4). “My son,
keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother”
(Prov 6:20). The Bible pronounced a curse on those who dishonour their
parents. God was very serious about this matter (Exod 21:15, 17; Lev
20:9; Prov 20:20, 30:17). Disrespect for parents will bring punishment
from God. “And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely
put to death. And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be
put to death” (Exod 21:15, 17). “The eye that mocketh at his father, and
despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and
the young eagles shall eat it (Prov 30:17).
Reverencing our parents is an act of piety towards God for parents
function as God’s representatives to children on earth. 20 While our
parents are still alive and are able to enjoy our relationship with them, we
should take full advantage of this. They are the ones who brought us into
this world, nurtured and fed us and gave us good things in life. How
could we not honour them in return? “We honour them by being obedient
to them as far as possible, by caring for them and by consulting them
when making any major decisions. When such warm relationship exists,
there will be ample opportunity to witness to them about Jesus Christ.
Too many Christians, though concerned for the salvation of their parents,
fail to cultivate this warmth. As a consequence, they find it so difficult
and awkward to discuss spiritual things with them.” 21
There are a number of ways to show filial piety. When our parents
are still alive, give them due honour. Do not humiliate them. Obey and
honour them: “Whoso keepth the law is a wise son: but he that is a
companion of riotous men shameth his father” (Prov 28:7). Do not abuse
them physically: “He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his
mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach” (Prov 19:26).
The Bible says that the arrogant and rebellious perform such disgraceful
and shameful acts: “There is a generation that curseth their father, and
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